Euro 2020: Low Aiming High

Germany vs Northern Ireland

They are already through to the Euro 2020 finals but Germany won’t stop there, after a period in the doldrums Joachim Low’s team has that steely look about it again.

Germany lead Group C on 18 points with six wins and a solitary defeat, two points ahead of the Netherlands and five ahead of Northern Ireland in third. And when Germany hosts the Irish at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt on Tuesday, Low’s team will be determined to hang on to that top spot.

Michael O’Neill’s Green and Whites’ hopes of automatic qualification disappeared without a trace in a home goalless draw with the Netherlands on Saturday, and now the departing boss must prepare his side for the play-offs.

This final fixture looks like being an attack versus defence contest, with Germany scoring freely in recent games while Northern Ireland’s success has been built upon the foundation of a solid defence.

Talking Points

Germany on the road to redemption

After a simply dreadful showing at Russia 2018, much the amusement of Germany’s big rivals in England and France, Low’s side has gone some way to restoring their pride in a typically efficient qualifying campaign.

The only blip was a 2-4 reversal at home to a dangerous Netherlands side, but that showed Germany still has a way to go. They have been ruthless in front of goal, scoring 24 times in the group stage, and seven in the last two games. Toni Kroos scored twice in a resounding win over Belarus which guaranteed Germany’s qualification spot, giving them a superb chance of topping the group. But, in all probability, they need to beat the Irish, as the Netherlands are at home to Estonia, who were beaten by Low’s team 8-0 earlier in the campaign.

Euro 2020 Qualifiers: Toni Kroos scored a brace for Germany — Toni Kroos celebrates with teammates after scoring for Germany against Belarus

The Germany coach has evolved his team rather than conducting a thorough overhaul, and while the experience of players like Kroos remains essential, the campaign has seen the emergence of the exciting wing back Lukas Klostermann. Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan provide real quality in midfield while FC Bayern’s 24-year-old striker Serge Gnabry is starting to fulfil the potential which was pretty much unseen in his early career at Arsenal.

The Euro 2020 betting odds have Germany in a group of teams behind the top three of France, Belgium and England, alongside the Netherlands, Spain and Italy. And winning Group C will prove they are some way down the road to redemption.

Goals at a premium for Green and Whites

While Germany have been scoring for fun, O’Neill’s men have been struggling badly in front of goal, hitting the net only twice is the last four qualifying games. And they were left to rue a penalty miss by Steven Davis in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with the Netherlands, which ended their automatic qualification hopes. It was a real shame for Davis, who was making his 116^th appearance for his country, overtaking David Beckham as the United Kingdom’s most capped midfield player. When his chance came midway through the first half he hoofed his spot-kick into Row Z!

The Green and Whites are light upfront, with Hull City’s Josh Magennis hoping to add to his seven goals from 49 appearances. He’ll probably be the lone striker, and the three advanced midfielders, Paddy McNair, Gavin Whyte and George Saville are hardly prolific in their support, with four goals in 60 appearances between them.

Northern Ireland are more impressive at the back. In Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart, they have Premier League experience at the centre of defence, while young Burnley keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell looked very assured in keeping a clean sheet against the Netherlands.

Northern Ireland’s play-off spot is already guaranteed and it would be big Euro 2020 news indeed if they managed to round off the campaign with a win. And what a result that would be for Michael O’Neill. He’s been a popular figure at Windsor Park over the last eight years but now he’s heading off for pastures new to coach Championship side Stoke City.

He’ll most likely still be at the helm in the play-offs, alongside his new job, but that will be his swansong.

History

Ireland appeared in the European Championships for the first time in 2016, putting up a good fight and reaching the Round of 16, where they were unlucky to lose to Wales as Gareth McAuley scored an own goal.

Germany are three times champions in the competition and a successful 2020 tournament will go some way to banishing the memory of Russia 2018.

These two teams have met four times in the last four years and Germany has won every one, but there have been no hammerings handed out, with a maximum winning margin of two goals. Germany have kept three clean sheets to Northern Ireland’s none

Marcel Halstenberg scored a screamer in Germany’s 0-2 win in Northern Ireland back in September but the visitors had to work hard for the victory.

Betting Tip

	Germany vs Northern Ireland	First Half Asian Handicap Germany -1.00 @ 2.16
	November 20, 03:45 (GMT+8)

With SBOBET odds of a home win at 1.18, the draw at 6.60 and Northern Ireland at 8.25, we can only see one outcome in Frankfurt. The Green and Whites’ defence will have to be on top form, but Germany have the quality and form to finish the game before the break.